Taking Flight

Reviewed by: Bernie Alie - Kennebunk Free Library, Kennebunk, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: February 9, 2015

Review

Michaela, then called Mabinty Bangura, tells her story starting with her early childhood with her biological mother and father in Sierra Leone. Her parents believed that she deserved an education even though she was female, and by age 4 she could speak 5 languages and write in Arabic. After rebels killed her father, she and her mother live with her uncle's family. When Lassa fever kills her mother, her uncle deposits her in an orphanage. The war encroaches; the "debils" take over the orphanage, and the staff and children flee to neighboring Guinea. Eventually, US adoptions come through for all of the children except for Michaela. At the last minute, the family taking her best friend agrees to include her.

Once in the US, Michaela seems to have lived a fairy tale dream for the most part. Renamed Michaela and Mia, the girls landed with a very loving and financially comfortable family. Their new parents recognize Michaela's desperate dream to become a ballerina, spurred by a magazine cover she found at the orphanage. She attends fine ballet schools and focuses on her dance.

The writing is clear, with a flow that pulls the reader in like a good novel. Michaela speaks highly of her growing up years, her relationship with Mia, and the sacrifices her parents made for her. She discusses the loss of her beloved brother Teddy and admits her middle school cruelty to her sister Mia. Always, her focus is dance, and she recognizes the racial barrier to fulfilling her dream. Ballet terms are not defined, and her age at various times is vague, but these are small quibbles. With hard work, Michaela has been able to realize her dream, and she will be an inspiration to many, black, white, dancer or not.

Overall Book Score: excellent